WAYNESVILLE — A revision in the Waynesville School District’s public gifts to schools policy for memorials was approved by school board members earlier this month. The altered policy will allow the planting of trees, shrubs and perennials on school grounds pending approval of administration officials.
Discussion of the policy was first brought up in a special meeting held in May after Superintendent Judene Blackburn had received a request from Tina Loggins about wanting to donate a replica aluminum jersey with the last name and number of Waynesville High School baseball player Patrick Clegg, who died from injuries sustained in a baseball game on April 23. The memorial could be attached to an outfield fence.
At that meeting, board members discussed the topic and said they’d support it. But a lone board member, Herman Blau, said he was opposed and noted that equal treatment needs to be applied to every student. “I would have to disagree,” said Blau at the meeting last month. Blau’s concern primarily focused on other students not getting the same type of recognition, but stated that he was “all about doing something.” “What about the next student?” he asked.
At the meeting last month, Blackburn was asked what she thought regarding the request. She noted a previous policy raised with a committee made up of teachers, administrators, board members and sports staff — also known as TABS — and said the district already has a policy regarding memorials.
That policy currently states gifts, donations and bequests can be made to the district, while memorials are in the form of scholarships, purchases of library books, educational CD-ROMS, school supplies and equipment, as well as funds designated for a particular school activity or department.
Blackburn said she didn’t want to seem “cold-hearted” and was “very sympathetic” but stated it would be in the best interests of the district to maintain the existing guidelines.
“At the current time, we need to uphold the policy,” she said, adding that her responsibility is “to protect the district and the board.” At the latest school board meeting, Blackburn reported that the TABS committee met again on June 1 to review the policy, where they decided it would be appropriate to revise the current list of possible memorial gifts to include plantings along with what’s already allowed. “The administration must approve the type and placement of any planting before it is placed.
Such planting may be accompanied by a movable flat ground marker of approved size and type,” the addition states. Furthermore, “The engraving on the marker must be limited to the memorialized individual’s name, dates of birth and death, and the words, “donated in memory of” or “in memory of.” The marker will be moved when necessary and may be permanently removed after ten (10) years and offered to the nearest relative.” The board voted unanimously after reviewing the change.
